Today I'm sharing my latest thrifty finds.

Welcome, friends, to another fun-filled Thrill of the Hunt post where I share my latest thrifty (and usually) vintage finds with you. My hope is that by sharing my thrifty finds I can motivate and inspire you to explore your own local thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets and barn sales and make your own fabulous finds for yourself.

Today it's all about blue and white plates and trays, and vintage promotional advertising. So let's get started.

Who would have thought that something this pretty was given away as part of a Spic and Span retail promotion in the 1970's? 

I was lucky enough to find this gorgeous blue and white tray at Goodwill for $1.99. I was thrilled to see that it had this description of the piece on the back.

So it resembles a Ming Dynasty plate. But since it's a tray it's actually larger than a traditional plate. It's about 13 1/2" across.

My research shows it was called a "Classic Design Serving Tray" as per a sticker on the back (my sticker is missing). It's in pristine condition and I love it. Even though it's a tin tray it can certainly be displayed with my more traditional blue and white porcelain plates. It's my first Ming Dynasty patterned piece and I know that I will be on the lookout for more of the same.  

Years ago I started buying collectible state plates to sell in my Etsy shop, Vintage Farmhouse Love. Most of them were put in a box and forgotten about (my bad). I recently pulled out this one and did a happy dance. Not only is it an Illinois plate (where we live) but it is blue and white porcelain. Score.

I'm not sure why the year is 1972. I did some research and can not find it reproduced in any other year. I've never been to Springfield, but I remember my daughter's 5th grade class went there for a class trip. They didn't see Lincoln's home, but they did visit other attractions in the town, which is our state capitol.   

Decor Danmark First Edition

Made exclusively for Chateau, Inc.

in Denmark by "Kesa" 

Plate - 95

I know the number 95 means it's number 95 out of X number of plates that were made in total. $6.99 is a lot for me to spend on thrift store plates but it was Illinois for Pete's sake. And I'm seeing it for sale on various websites today between $10.00 and $15.00 so I don't feel too bad about it. 

I'm just happy it matches all of my newly found blue and white favorites. This one is a keeper.

I also purchased this gorgeous blue and white plate for $1.99 for my Etsy shop long before I fell in love with blue and white plates. Again, I was thrilled to find it stashed away and now it's proudly being displayed on our farmhouse dining room shelves. As gorgeous as it is, there does appear to be a lot going on with this plate.  

You have the bucolic Currier & Ives ice skating scene in the middle.

You've also got the "God Bless Our House Throughout 1981" as well as the astrological calendar encircling the plate. Does anyone else besides me think it's an odd combination -- Currier & Ives and astrology? Enough said. 

These transferware plates were produced not only in blue, but in red as well. I wonder if they were made in brown, another popular transferware color. The maker's mark declares they were made in Staffordshire England. We'll assume it was in 1981 or just before.

As weird as the juxtaposition of the Currier & Ives scene and the astrology calendar is, I still love the look and it will remain a part of my growing blue and white china collection. 

So I know there's been a lot of blue and white finds on the blog recently. But I promise there are a lot more Thrill of the Hunts coming where I will be sharing  -- you guessed it -- NOT blue and white china (okay maybe some but just a little). So stay tuned!

Well, that's it until next time, friends!

I hope you enjoyed reading about 

Thrill of the Hunt #113

and that I've inspired you in some way.

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